Look For These Signs to See if Your Water Heater Needs Servicing

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3 Signs My Water Heater Needs To Be Serviced

You cannot take a relaxing bath, enjoy a hot shower or clean your clothes without warm water in your Alexandria home. Regardless of whether you have a traditional or tankless water heater, it needs to be serviced regularly in order to prevent problems.

Alexandria, VA Water-Heater-ServicesThere are several signs you may notice if your Alexandria homes water heater is in need of professional service. Below are three signs your water heater needs to be serviced:

Excessive Noise

If your water heater is making a lot of noise, then this is not a good sign. Loud noise is usually a sign that sediment has started to build up inside of your water heater.

A professional can flush sediment out of your water heater. You should also call a professional if your water heater is making a sound you never heard before.

Your Water Heater Is Not Producing Warm Water

If you notice that your water heater is not as hot as it was before, then the first thing you will want to do is check the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is on the appropriate temperature.

If the thermostat is on the right temperature, then there may be a problem with the water heater’s heating element. A professional can identify the cause and correct it.

Leaks Within Your Water Heater

It is important to check your Alexandria homes water heater periodically for leaks. You should look for puddles around the water heater. You should also look for condensation on the water heater. A small leak can easily be repaired. That is why you should get it repaired as soon as possible.

Keep in mind that water heater leaks can lead to other problems. A leak can cause a drastic increase in your water bill. Additionally, a leak will continue to get bigger if it is not fixed.

A small water heater problem can quickly turn into a major one. That is why you will need to get your water heater looked at immediately if you suspect something is wrong with it. Leaks and strange noises are signs that something is wrong with your water heater. You should also have your water heater serviced if you notice it is leaking.

Any hold ups regarding your Alexandria, VA water heater? Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling at (844) 535-5091 today for any of your repair or maintenance requests.

Tips to Help You Save this Month

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5 Ways To Save On Your Utility Bill

Keeping the utility bill as low as possible is something that all homeowners care about. Energy savings can greatly accumulate over time, resulting in not only a lot of money being saved, but also a reduced strain on the environment. Below are five easy things that any homeowner can do to save money on their next utility bill.

Alexandria, VA Utility-Savings-TipsServicing The Refrigerator

The refrigerator is oftentimes the leading energy user in a household, as it is a large appliance that requires power twenty-four hours a day.

A refrigerator should usually be serviced once or twice each year, something which will entail the cleaning of the refrigerator coils, refrigerant replacement, repair to faulty door seals and more.

Turn Off The Power

A large portion of the electricity bill for an average household is actually taken up by wasted energy. The reason for this is that a lot of appliances draw power even when they are turned off.

An easy way to prevent this from happening is to use power strips, which contain multiple outlets. All a person needs to do is turn the strip off when nothing plugged into it is in use, and the energy savings will stack up.

Upgrade The Light Bulbs

Any household that is still using incandescent light bulbs is spending money on their energy costs that they do not need to. By simply replacing all incandescent bulbs with CFL bulbs, a Alexandria homeowner can reduce their electricity needs by up to 75 percent. CFL light bulbs are also capable of lasting for up to 10 times longer than incandescent ones.

Do Laundry With Cold Water

Using hot water to clean clothing wastes a lot of energy. Cold water washing is not only more energy efficient, it also makes doing laundry easier, as colored garments do not need to separated from white ones when cold water is used.

Service AC And Heating Systems

The air conditioning and heating systems in a home use huge amounts of energy each day, which is why keeping them in the best possible condition is important.

The more efficiently these systems are running, the more energy costs are saved over time. The process of servicing AC or heating systems could include basic cleaning tasks, the replacement of filters, routine maintenance on the engines and inner workings of a system and the cleaning of dirty vents.

As long as a Alexandria homeowner takes the time to implement these tips, great energy savings are on the way. Saving money on the utility bill is not only beneficial to homeowners, as it also reduces the impact that a household is having on the environment.

Try to save during this holiday season on your Alexandria, VA home utility bill. Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling at (844) 535-5091, for any questions or further assistance.

Find Out Why Your Furnace is Smelling Up Your Home

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Burning Furnace Smell

Why Do I Smell Something Burning?

Alexandria, VA Furnace-Repair-ServicesIf people smell something burning in a home, the first thing they might do is go into the kitchen to see what’s cooking. If there is nothing cooking, it can be very puzzling to figure out where the burning smell is coming from, and this is when panic starts to set in.

If there’s something burning in the kitchen, many will know just to turn off the stove and to remove the pot or pan from the stove.

If there’s a burning smell coming from anywhere else in the house, especially the furnace, then it may be troubling. If a furnace has a burning smell coming from it, there could be several reasons why.

Here Are The Possibilities

1. Not everyone runs their furnace throughout the year, especially since there are several months in the year that are too warm to allow a furnace to be turned on.

Once the furnace is turned on again, it’s possible that the burning smell will be caused by the dust that has accumulated inside of the furnace. The dust should easily burn off, and the smell should go away after a while, but if the smell sticks, then there is a much bigger problem.

2. It’s also a good idea to consider that there is some type of malfunction going on with the blower, which has the purpose of blowing warm air around the home.

If this blower has stopped working properly or is not working at all, then it’s very likely that you’ll have an overheated furnace that can create a burning type of smell. This can be very problematic, and this means that you no longer have a properly functioning furnace, so professional help is needed.

3. Don’t forget about the air filter in your Alexandria furnace because it’s very important, not just for clean air but also to help prevent a possible fire.

An extremely dirty filter can be so filled with dust that it causes the filter to catch fire and become an even bigger hazard. Change filters regularly to prevent this type of hazard.

Call A Professional

When you still can’t determine why your Alexandria furnace is letting off a burning smell, then you’ll need to make a call to a professional. Do not run the furnace again until the professional can come out and check the unit to determine the cause of the problem.

Is your furnace in smelling up your Alexandria, VA home? Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling today at (888) 775-5640, and get that foul odor out of your home.

 

The Different Heat Pumps to Consider

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Geothermal & Air-Source Heat Pumps

Technology has changed the way many people live in the world today. In addition, technology has impacted almost every area of modern life.

Alexandria, VA Heat-Pump-ServicesOne of the areas where technology has made a tremendous difference is the housing market.

From real estate sales to house construction in your Alexandria area, technology has encouraged professionals in many fields related to housing development to improve traditional operational methods.

The Heat Pump

One area that has seen an emergence of new technology is heating and cooling equipment for residential and commercial buildings. One of the most popular heating and cooling systems currently utilized is the heat pump.

In its basic form a heating pump is typically used in climates with average cooling and heating needs.

The heat pump is an effective energy efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners. Moreover, a heat pump works with electricity by moving heat from a cool space to a warm space thereby making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer.

The difference between heat pumps is generally based on the method used to move the heat from a cool space to a warm space.

Main Differences Between Geothermal And Air Source Heat Pumps

Two popular types of heat pumps on the market today are geothermal and air source heat pumps. There are several differences between these two heat pumps. The main differences include:

1. Geothermal heat pumps extract heat from the ground, and air source heat pumps work by an air-to-air exchange.

2. When outdoor temperatures fall very low such as below zero, air source heat pumps tend to need some type of backup heat while geothermal units are still able to meet heating demands without backup assistance.

3. Geothermal heat pumps require more technical expertise and top quality equipment for the pumps to work at high standards.

4. Air source heat pumps are typically less expensive to install than geothermal heat pumps.

What To Consider When Making A Decision On Which Heat Pump To Utilize

Modern technology has provided the opportunity for numerous innovations regarding heating and cooling systems. The heat pump has become one of the most popular innovations in recent years concerning heating and cooling equipment for residential and commercial operations.

Both geothermal and air source heat pumps provide quality performance for users in their Alexandria homes. However, there are differences between the two heat pumps that should be considered before making a final decision.

The ultimate decision between the two pumps should be based on the specific situation because every situation is different.

Find out more info about the differences of geothermal and air source heat pumps in your Alexandria, VA home. Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling at (888) 775-5640 today, to get more insight on this topic.

Don’t Get Sick This Winter

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Keep Airborne Viruses Under Control In Your Home

Don’t Get Sick This Winter

Many feel that if they get a flu shot this winter, then they are not going to catch any illnesses, but this is far from the truth. The flu shot only prevents the flu, and this means that any other airborne illnesses that are floating around can be caught by this person.

Alexandria, VA Flu Season TipsMany don’t realize that their own Alexandria home is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to catching airborne illnesses because they feel that these illnesses are caught outside of the home.

If a family has people over for get-togethers, which is very common during the holidays, then any one of the persons coming into the home can bring in illnesses.

If a person has a cold or the flu, then if they sneeze or cough, they are exposing others in the room to the illness. These germs go into the air, and they can be sucked up into the HVAC system and passed throughout the house.

Keeping an HVAC unit working properly may be the best and first defense against getting airborne illnesses in your Alexandria home, especially during the wintertime.

Is Your HVAC Unit Ready For The Cold Weather?

You have to check your HVAC unit before you turn it on for the winter, especially if it’s been off since the summer. In some regions of the USA, those with an HVAC unit that is both an air conditioner and a heater may have the unit turned off for a couple months after the hot weather disappears.

During the months of September and October, it’s possible to have mild weather that doesn’t require the use of the HVAC unit, but then when late October and early November roll around, the weather may start getting cold.

Before you turn on the HVAC unit again, make sure it’s ready to deal with the cold weather by doing what’s necessary to keep the unit running properly.

Make Sure Maintenance Is Performed

If you want to prevent any airborne illnesses from roaming from room to room through your HVAC system, make sure that the filter in the unit is changed.

It’s a good idea to change the filter before turning on the heat, even if the filter is still usable. Call out a professional HVAC maintenance person to check out your unit, and you’ll also want to make sure to clean the unit as well as the air ducts and vents in the home.

Keep your Alexandria, VA home free from germs of the flu season. Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling today at (888) 775-5640, to get tips on how to keep your home flu free.

Prevent Yourself from Furnace Disasters

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Prevent a Furnace Disaster this Winter Season

Your home’s furnace plays an important role in keeping you warm over the winter. If your Alexandria home furnace breaks, you are not only left with no heat, but there’s a good chance your pipes will freeze, which causes twice the amount of damage.

Alexandria, VA Furnace-Repair-ServicesIt’s important that you keep your furnace system in top shape in order to avoid any disasters over the winter. Here are some things you can do to prevent furnace mishaps.

Change and Clean Your Furnace’s Filters

You should change or clean your furnace’s filters at least once a month. A clean filter will improve your furnace’s energy efficiency, which reduces your heating bills, and increase the life of your Alexandria home furnace system.

But more importantly, cleaning your furnace’s filters prevents the machine from breaking down because of clogged air flow and improves the quality of the air in your home.

Seal Your Furnace’s Ductwork

Air ducts can leak about 30 to 40 percent of the heated air that is pumped through them to heat your home. As you can imagine, this increases your heating costs significantly.

Because leaking air is not as easily detectable as other noticeable substances like water, it is difficult to find holes and repair them.

In order to prevent this leakage, seal your ductwork from the inside using Aerosol duct sealing spray. This will save you money and improve the life of your heating system because it circulates the air through the home more evenly and eases the workload for your furnace.

Periodically Check Your Furnace for Any Noticeable Defects

Typically, before your furnace breaks down, there will be signs that something isn’t working right. If you smell, see, or hear anything abnormal when checking your furnace, consult a professional immediately. If you handle problems early on, you have a better chance of avoiding costly repairs down the road.

Taking all of these precautions before the winter weather begins will not only help your furnace run more efficiently, but it will also prevent any furnace disasters from happening during the winter months.

It is a good idea to consult with a professional before the weather gets too cold in order to ensure that your furnace system is running effectively and efficiently.

Don’t suffer from a furnace disaster in your Alexandria, VA home this season. Call Cyprus Heating and Cooling at (888) 775-5640 and get assistance now.

See What Geothermal Heating Can Do For You

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Geothermal Heating Benefits

Geothermal heating is a type of environmentally friendly energy powered by the earth itself. Because the ground absorbs the majority of thermal energy the earth receives in the form of sunlight, it remains a stable temperature just below the surface all year long. A series of pipes through which water circulates is placed into the ground.

Alexandria, VA geothermal_heating_servicesThe water is then heated or cooled by the energy within the earth, cycled into the home, and then the leftover is pushed back into the underground piping.

This method of heating is extremely efficient and a preferred method for more and more people today.

There are also a number of different benefits to geothermal heating, including the following.

1. Reduced Energy Bills.

Geothermal heating can save as much as 25% to 50% over conventional heating systems. A standard 2,000 ft home can be heated and cooled for as low as $1 per day.

Many families struggle with energy bills; geothermal heating can help alleviate some of the burden.

2. Eco Friendly

Geothermal heating is one of the most environmentally friendly methods of keeping a home comfortable. In fact, it’s recognized by the EPA as the most effective way of keeping a home heated or cooled. Using a geothermal energy system is the equivalent of planting 750 trees ore removing two cars from the road.

3. Free Hot Water

A geothermal heating system produces hot water that can be used by a Alexandria homeowner. This eliminates the need for the hot water heater to run, which reduces the amount of energy used in a home and lowers the costs of heating water.

While it won’t provide the total amount of hot water a home uses, roughly 70% of the average household hot water use will be covered by a geothermal heating system.

4. Longevity

A geothermal heating system can last more than 20 years if properly installed and maintained. This outstrips other systems by at least a decade.

While initial costs may be higher when installing the system, the investment is more valuable because it lasts longer and provides a better ROI than conventional heating and cooling systems.

While geothermal energy may seem like a unique way to provide comfort within a home, it’s the same system used in hot spring communities for hundreds of years.

With the environmental movement becoming bigger than ever before, Alexandria homeowners who wish to do their part and save a bit of money should look into investing into geothermal energy.

If you haven’t had your Alexandria, VA heating system checked out, there’s no better time than now to call Cyprus Heating and Cooling at (888) 775-5640.